Chapter 718: Thunder and dragon boat water

Eager for justice and righteousness, jealousy and hatred, these eight words may be valuable advantages for ordinary people, but for people in officialdom, it is a fatal weakness. Even Du Zhen, who often speaks fairly for others in front of the emperor, never thinks that he can take care of the injustices in the world and pull the injustices in the world. Before Zhang Yue left, he only gave four words, with a clear conscience.

So, since taking office this time, Zhang Yue has naturally taken these four words as his purpose, sorting out the clues of various affairs little by little, but when he finally checked the warehouse and so on, he found that the rice and grain reserves in Guangfeng Warehouse in Guangzhou Prefecture were close to the bottom, and the grain reserves in Xiangshan County, Qingyuan County and other places were also at a very low level. It turned out that the Pearl River basin had been flooded for several years, and the political envoy had given relief first and then reported according to the usual practice, such as tens of thousands of stone of grain in a few years, plus the year before last year was a hurricane, and many houses collapsed, and Zhaoqing Mansion and other places in Guangzhou Prefecture were seriously affected, and the city of the city was not in charge of this treasure land. A huge Guangdong political secretary can't even come up with the money to repair the tribute courtyard, and often has to ask wealthy private businessmen to donate money - to put it bluntly, it is apportionment.

Therefore, after Peng Shisan came back, he sighed and said that Qiu Guoyong was only about the same age as him, but he was at least ten years older than him, Zhang Yue didn't care about it, but felt that this head of the Qiu family was really a smart person who beat snakes and sticks. In the past few days, because Qin Huaijin's matter has been resolved, in addition to the direct performance of the title of he and the other two divisions, he should also bluntly say that he should also bluntly edict the 14 articles of farmland and water conservancy and persuasion of farming and farming. He originally wanted to say a few good words to comfort the emperor, but after thinking about it for a long time, he still dismissed this plan because he was not in Beijing.

At this time, he brought Fang Jing and Li Guoxiu Rui Yixiang over, and when he saw the three teenagers sitting upright, he opened his mouth and asked: "Xiao Fang, I took you around before, and everyone knows that you are similar to my brother, and even Li Guoxiu and Rui Yixiang are looked down upon. Now that the three of you are being invited around for a feast, what do you have to gain? ”

Although this was a question for three people, Fang Jing knew that the first one should always be himself, so he straightened his waist and said: "There are indeed many people invited to the next post, from local big families to wealthy businessmen, etc., a total of fifteen or sixteen. Among them, the local famous families are just doing a look, they are all famous scholars, no matter who comes to be the domain, they will definitely pay them three points, so we are just polite. And those rich businessmen said that they were locals, but when the three of us looked down one by one, we found that several first-class wealthy families were intriguing with each other, but the middle level hugged each other closely. Moreover, compared with the big households in the south of the Yangtze River who took the initiative to donate money to build bridges, build roads, repair academies and other things, local businessmen are focused on how to make more money. ”

After Fang Jing finished speaking, Li Guoxiu hurriedly said: "Fang Gongzi is right, the merchants in the north have money, they will convert it into gold, silver and copper coins and bury them deep underground, or buy fields, but local businessmen often invest the money they earn in trading, once they make a big profit, they will go to the next level, and once they lose money, they will lose all their money, so in the past few decades, the top people among the Cantonese businessmen have changed and changed." ”

"There is another rule, that is, the local farmers are willing to send their children to the academy if they are a little more prosperous. Every year, many students go to county schools and state schools from private academies to take the children's examination. Rui Yixiang took a different path, paused when he said this, and saw Zhang Yue nodding at himself encouragingly, he added, "The three of us managed to check the scientific examination list over the years, although Guangdong is not as good as Jiangnan, but there are many successful candidates." ”

"Well, that's good, it's hard for you to be able to gather so much information in just a few days. After all, these mundane tasks outside of reading are your first encounter, and it will be easier to do them in the future. Next year is the year of autumn, the Guangdong Tribute Courtyard is really dilapidated, Xiao Fang you are a lifter, so take the two of them to go around, raise a sum of money to renovate the Tribute Academy. ”

Fang Jing has always admired Zhang Yue and Wan Shijie, so he made great efforts to imitate the two of them from the imperial examination, and his resentment against the dilapidated tribute courtyard in Shuntian Mansion was naturally great. At this time, he didn't wait for Li Guoxiu and Rui Yixiang to react, and immediately agreed without saying a word. He stood up like this, and the other two had to echo him. When the three of them came out of the house, Zhang Yue vaguely heard two complaining voices, and immediately couldn't help but laugh.

"They just said that the local merchants are not as generous as the Jiangnan gentry, and the young master sent them to raise money, could it be that he wanted to see their jokes?"

Following the prestige, Zhang Yue saw Amber walking over with a cup of things. After arriving in Guangzhou, he felt that she was much more cheerful, and he was not annoyed when he heard this teasing, because he smiled: "Where do I have such a bad heart." Those merchants are unwilling now, and they will indeed let them hit the nail. But this is just to let them know what it is like to touch a nail, and finally feel relaxed when things are done, which is the truth of first bitter and then sweet. ”

Amber didn't know that Zhang Yue was training the three of them, but listening to this old-fashioned explanation, she felt funny in her heart, so she put the cup of wine-stuffed fruit soup in her hand on the table: "This is the young grandmother specially ordered to be cooled with well water, just now Jingguan tasted it and said it was delicious, so the young grandmother asked me to bring a cup." Just now I heard about the Gongyuan, but I have something to tell the young master. I heard a few old mothers who have served here for many years say that the Dragon Boat Festival water in Guangzhou has always been more after the festival, and now it has been cloudy, so you can pay attention. ”

The Pearl River Delta is densely populated with water systems, and floods and so on often occur, so the Guangzhou Prefecture has a general judge in charge of farmland water conservancy, and even the chief secretary also has a senator in charge of water conservancy bridges and so on. At this time, Zhang Yue heard Amber mention this matter, but praised her for paying attention, so he nodded and said: "The feudal division and the government have always been wary of the Dragon Boat Festival water, and they have been prepared for a long time, and I have already passed on the order, and the water situation in various places is not allowed to be concealed and reported directly." Before Xu participated in politics, they also suggested sending someone to add linoleum on the roof of the back office just in case, I have already agreed, you go back and tell everyone, let them have a preparation, and avoid it when the time comes. ”

"I just heard it by the ear, since the young master has made preparations, it's good."

Seeing Amber smiling and leaving, Zhang Yue remembered that he had discussed the matter of the Qiu family with Du Juan last night, and after a moment of silence, he decided to pick it out, and stopped her at the moment. Motioning for someone to sit down on the chair next to him, he carefully told her what had happened before, and finally said: "Originally, I planned to let Lao Peng and Lingxi accompany you to Chengmai County, but now it seems that there is no need to rush over there." Since your second uncle is here, go back and choose a good opportunity, and I will let you see you quietly. As for going there to sweep your mother's grave and so on, I'll try to arrange it. ”

Although Qiongzhou Mansion is not a hometown, Amber thought that she was so close to that side now, and the big stone in her heart was lightened unconsciously. It's just that she never expected that at the moment when Zhang Yue first arrived, the Qiu family was almost involved in such a huge public case. Hearing this, she suddenly stood up, fell to her knees and kowtowed three times.

"Thank you young master for your hard work."

In just eight words, it seemed to exhaust all the strength of her body. Seeing this, Zhang Yue hurriedly helped her up, seeing that her forehead had been knocked red by the three rings just now, and her eyes were also red, he couldn't help but reach out and rub it twice on the normally smooth forehead, and then handed over the handkerchief, and told her to wipe her eyes well, so he shook his head helplessly.

"What are you doing with this style, you have been with me for so many years, and I will always pull where I can help. Although it is impossible for you to recognize your ancestors and return to your ancestors now, after all, they are still your relatives who are worried about you, and besides, I was instructed to take care of them before I came out. Although the Qiu family is defeated, there is no chance to get ahead in the court, and if other opportunities are seized, it is enough to let the descendants have no worries about food and clothing. Okay, okay, hurry back to find Lingxi, wash your face first, and cover your forehead, otherwise let Qiu Zhen see it, that girl likes to find the roots, and you have to be even more uncomfortable. ”

Although it was not the first time she had experienced Zhang Yue's concern, Amber still felt very happy in her heart. Maintenance is easier said than done, and she has never been able to help him in the past and now, but he has always been thoughtful for her. Wiping her eyes vigorously, she was about to retire and leave, but who knew that a hurried voice suddenly sounded outside.

"My lord, Qingyuan County, Foshan Town, Guangzhou Prefecture, and Sihui County, Zhaoqing Prefecture sent people to report that there were heavy rains in the local area, and the water levels of the Beijiang and Suijiang rivers had skyrocketed, and now the local yamen has sent people to the embankment!"

With the sound of the announcement outside, a bright white light suddenly flashed outside, and then a thunderclap exploded. Amber was startled when she heard the sound, and it wasn't until Zhang Yue clenched her hand that she suddenly realized, and as soon as she came back to her senses, she retracted her hand, and said softly: "Young master, you are busy with official business, I will go back to the room first." ”

In the past, when he was in Kaifeng, he had witnessed the panic of the people when the flood came, and at this moment, Zhang Yue had no other thoughts, nodded at her and hurriedly walked to the main gate. When he lifted the yellow bamboo curtain, he saw countless white lights suddenly intertwined in the air, and at the same time, thunder continued, and countless dense raindrops fell from the gloomy sky, which became a downpour in just an instant. For a moment, the sound of the rain filled the eardrums and vision, and the gusts of wind and the rain splashed over with the rain, as if there was nothing but wind, rain, thunder and lightning between heaven and earth.

It was a night wind and a heavy rain, and the rain did not stop for a moment until the next morning. Not to mention Zhang Yue, the clan division yamen doesn't know how many people haven't slept well. There is a way to be a field of seven mountains and two rivers in Guangdong, this land is not as dense as the water system, and now it is not only the dragon boat water of the Dragon Boat Festival, but also the storm from the sea, so even the officials who are familiar with the rainstorm and flood do not dare to underestimate the power of the rainstorm. In the early morning of the third day, the drenched messengers rushed to the Yamen of the feudal division in waves, bringing news of the torrential rain.

"Qingyuan County has Guangji Cang, Sihui County has Guangying Cang, and Zhaoqing Prefecture has Fengji Cang...... Although the granaries are all built on high ground and have been reinforced, once the wind and rain are too strong and affected, it will be difficult to provide relief if there is any loss of this grain......

At this juncture, Xiang Shaoyuan, the right-hand political envoy who had been recuperating at home while sick, appeared for the first time in the second hall of the yamen. He is different from the rest of the officials who have been transferred from Tiannanhai to the north, since he came out, he has been serving in the two places from the county, state, government to the domain, and he knows the situation here well, so he coughed and introduced at the same time, but he also said a thorough explanation. Yang Mian, who is in charge of farmland and water conservancy, was originally from the Shandong Political Division, but he was in charge of money and grain taxes, so he naturally only nodded at this time. And Zhang Yue, who had been silent beside him, didn't ask until he finished speaking one by one: "Does Master Xiang think this time is dangerous?" ”

"The danger is not necessarily the most dangerous, the land of the city should be safe, but the aftermath is the most difficult!" Xiang Shaoyuan coughed violently for a while, and then said word by word, "Just like what I just said, it's best if the embankment is unharmed." However, those small embankments may not be all comprehensive, as long as there is a breach, there will be a loss of private houses and farmland, and then relief is a big problem. This dragon boat water involves two prefectures and several states, and there is not much grain left in our grain depots in Guangdong! ”

Hearing the word aftermath, Zhang Yue suddenly remembered that every time there is a catastrophe, there must be people who take advantage of the fire to rob, and he couldn't help but be vigilant in his heart. When the government has no grain, private businessmen will take advantage of the fire to rob and raise the price of grain, and it is not easy to borrow grain from other provinces in a short time. After thinking about it for a while, he knew that now was not the time to think about this, so he immediately sent a letter to the affected prefectures and counties, and ordered to send messengers to move the people from low-lying places to higher places.

After several days of heavy rain and hurricane flooding, Zhaoqing Mansion in Guangzhou Prefecture was particularly badly affected, and a total of more than 800 houses collapsed in both places. Fortunately, the flood was followed by a sunny day, and after June, the water receded completely. Rao is so, and the countryside for the rest of his life is still a bleak scene.

The people suffered from the floods, and when the Yamen of the feudal division was busy measuring the number and planning the relief to report to the imperial court, Li Long, the commander of the envoy, and Yu Liang, the envoy of the inspection, invited Zhang Yue to go one after another, all for the reason of discussing the flood. Looking at these two exquisite gold posts, and then looking at the thick stack of flood emergency reports on the other side of the desk, Zhang Yue suddenly felt an indescribable boredom.

However, it wasn't until he went that he realized that the two first-division chiefs were discussing any flood matters, and they were all knocking on the court's attitude towards Qin Huai's cautious matter. Aware that the two of them had probably been in and out of the Shibo Mansion many times these days, he couldn't help but think about it in the study for a while after he came back. One covets money, the other covets fame, now it is a flood, Guangzhou is short of food and money, he is alone, and he has to drag these two guys who sweep the snow in front of the door to find a way!

"Come on, send a post to Master Li and Lord Yu, and say that I will hold a banquet in the Piaoxiang Building in this city in three days."